Vatican

CNS photo/Pablo Esparza

Vatican City

Ailing pope surprises pilgrims during Jubilee of the sick

With thousands of infirmed people and caregivers gathered for Mass April 6 in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair, made an unexpected appearance to greet the crowd.

• On Palm Sunday, recovering pope says to carry the cross with compassion

  

  By JUSTIN MCLELLAN, Catholic News Service
  Published April 13, 2025

  Carrying the cross means stepping into the pain of others and walking beside them, Pope Francis wrote at the start of Holy Week. The pope made a surprise appearance at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican.

• Young people, tech lovers connect with soon-to-be-St. Carlo Acutis

  

  By ZOEY MARAIST, OSV News
  Published April 3, 2025

  Young people are especially drawn to Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will be canonized April 27. A Mass and celebration of his canonization will be held in Atlanta.

• Pope returns to Vatican after long hospitalization

  

  By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
  Published March 23, 2025

  Immediately before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment for double pneumonia and infections, Pope Francis greeted hundreds of people who gathered outside the hospital March 23.